Stability support tv anti-tip device

ABSTRACT

A support device for a flat appliance is disclosed. The support device includes a mounting plate having at least one hole defined therein. The mounting plate is adapted for attachment to a side of the flat appliance with a fastener extending through the at least one hole and into at least one corresponding receiving hole in the flat appliance. The device further includes a mounting bracket that is adapted for attachment to a stand structure. The device also includes a brace disposed between the mounting plate and the mounting bracket. The at least one hole in the mounting plate is adapted for accommodating the receiving hole of a variety of different flat appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a support device for stabilizing a flatappliance on a stand structure against displacement and tipping over.More specifically, the present invention relates to a stability supportTV anti-tip device that is attached to a side of a flat appliance,particularly to a rear side of a flat screen television, by a mountingplate and attached to a stand structure by a mounting bracket. A braceis disposed between the mounting plate and the mounting bracket forsecuring the flat appliance against displacement and tipping over.

2. Description of Related Art

Flat appliances, especially flat screen televisions, are typicallyprovided with a base portion extending from a bottom side or edgethereof. This base portion supports the flat appliance on a flat surfaceof a stand structure, typically a television stand or entertainmentcenter. However, such base portions are typically small when comparedwith the overall height and width of the flat screen television.Moreover, the base portions typically do not extend more than aninsignificant distance beyond the rear side of the flat screentelevision so that the television can be disposed closer to a rear edgeof the stand structure. Further, such base portions are not attached tothe stand structure.

There are several problematic disadvantages with such a constructionsince flat screen televisions tend to have a lighter weight than oldertube-based televisions and are also proportionally much larger withrespect to their base portions than older tube-based televisions. Assuch, flat screen televisions are prone to be being displaced from adesired orientation by being accidentally bumped or shaken or, morecatastrophically, are prone to being accidentally tipped over andfalling. Such problems can lead to the inconvenience of requiringfrequent adjustment of the position of the flat screen television orlead to the flat screen television being damaged or destroyed in a fallfrom a standing position.

Accordingly, there is a general need for a support device for securing aflat appliance, especially a flat screen television or monitor, to astand structure so as to prevent the flat appliance from being displacedfrom a desired position or from being accidentally tipped over whileminimizing interference with the use of the flat appliance andminimizing damage to the stand structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a support device forsecuring a flat appliance, especially a flat screen television, to astand structure so as to prevent the flat appliance from becomingdisplaced or from tipping over.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a support devicethat can be attached to a variety of different flat appliances havingvarying sizes and shapes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a support devicethat can be attached to a variety of different stand structures atvarying locations on the stand structure.

It is an object of the present invention to utilize a mounting platethat is attached to a side of a flat appliance by fasteners that engagepre-existing holes in the flat appliance, which are for mounting theflat appliance to a wall.

It is an object of the present invention to utilize a brace having anadjustable length and is pivotable with respect to the mounting plateand the mounting bracket such that the flat appliance can be disposed ina variety of different positions and orientations with respect to thestand structure.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a support devicefor a flat appliance is provided. The support device comprises amounting plate having at least one hole defined therein, the mountingplate being adapted for attachment to a side of the flat appliance witha fastener extending through the at least one hole and into at least onecorresponding receiving hole in the flat appliance; a mounting bracketadapted for attachment to a stand structure; and a brace disposedbetween the mounting plate and the mounting bracket. The at least onehole in the mounting plate is adapted for accommodating the receivinghole of a variety of different flat appliances. Further, the mountingplate comprises a plurality of holes defined therein, the plurality ofholes being arranged in an array suitable to accommodate a plurality ofreceiving holes of a variety of different flat appliances. The pluralityof holes in the mounting plate are arranged in an array extending in twodirections from a point of attachment between the brace and the mountingplate. Also, the brace has an adjustable length. The brace comprises afirst leg and a second leg, the first and second legs being associatedwith each other in a telescoping engagement. A clamp mechanism isdisposed on the brace at a point of telescoping engagement between thefirst and second legs of the brace, the clamp mechanism being adaptedfor securing the first and second legs of the brace to each other in afixed telescoping engagement. The support device also includes a firsthinged connection between the brace and the mounting plate and a secondhinged connection between the brace and the mounting bracket. Also, themounting plate is adapted for attachment to the side of the flatappliance with a plurality of fasteners engaging a plurality of holes inthe mounting plate and the side of the flat appliance.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a system forsecuring a flat appliance to a stand structure is provided. The systemcomprises a flat appliance having opposing front and rear sides,opposing top and bottom sides and at least one receiving hole disposedin the rear side; a stand structure comprising a stand surface forsupporting the flat appliance thereon; and a support device comprising:a mounting plate having at least one hole defined therein, the at leastone hole in the mounting plate being arranged such that the at least onehole in the mounting plate aligns with the at least one receiving holein the rear side of the flat appliance, the mounting plate beingattached to the rear side of the flat appliance with a fastenerextending through the at least one hole in the mounting plate and intothe at least one receiving hole in the rear side of the flat appliance;a mounting bracket attached to the stand structure; and a brace disposedbetween the mounting plate and the mounting bracket. Further, the flatappliance comprises a plurality of receiving holes disposed in the rearside, the receiving holes being arranged in a horizontal array parallelto the top side, and the mounting plate comprises a plurality of holesdefined therein, the plurality of holes in the mounting plate beingarranged in an array such that at least two holes in the mounting platealign with at least two of the plurality of receiving holes in the rearside of the flat appliance. The array of holes in the mounting plateextends in two directions from a point of attachment between the braceand the mounting plate. Also, the brace has an adjustable length. Thebrace comprises a first leg and a second leg, the first and second legsbeing associated with each other in a telescoping engagement. A clampmechanism is disposed on the brace at a point of telescoping engagementbetween the first and second legs of the brace, the clamp mechanismbeing adapted for securing the first and second legs of the brace toeach other in a fixed telescoping engagement. The support device alsoincludes a first hinged connection between said brace and said mountingplate and a second hinged connection between said brace and saidmounting bracket. Particularly, the flat appliance is a flat screentelevision.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a kit forsecuring a flat appliance to a stand structure is provided. The kitcomprises: a mounting plate adapted for attachment to the flatappliance, the mounting plate having at least one hole defined therein,the at least one hole being arranged such that the at least one hole inthe mounting plate can be aligned with at least one receiving holedisposed in a side of the flat appliance; a mounting bracket adapted forattachment to the stand structure; a brace adapted for attachment to themounting plate and the mounting bracket, the brace having an adjustablelength; and at least one fastener for attaching the mounting plate tothe flat appliance by engaging the aligned holes in the mounting plateand the flat appliance. The mounting plate is adapted for being attachedto a variety of flat appliances having different arrangements ofreceiving holes and a length of the brace is adapted for being adjustedso as to secure flat appliances of varying sizes to varying standstructures at varying orientations. Further, the mounting platecomprises a plurality of elongated holes defined therein, the pluralityof elongated holes being arranged in an array such that at least twoholes in the mounting plate can be aligned with at least two receivingholes disposed in the side of the flat appliance. The array extends intwo directions from a point of attachment between the brace and themounting plate. The brace comprises a first leg and a second leg, thefirst and second legs being associated with each other in a telescopingengagement. The kit further includes a clamp mechanism adapted for beingdisposed on the brace at a point of telescoping engagement between thefirst and second legs of the brace, the clamp mechanism being adaptedfor securing the first and second legs of the brace to each other in afixed telescoping engagement. Also, the brace is adapted for beinghingedly attached to the mounting plate and the mounting bracket.Particularly, the flat appliance is a flat screen television.

Further details and advantages of the invention will become clear uponreading the following detailed description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing figures, wherein like parts are designated withlike reference numerals throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a flat appliance and stand having astability support device attached thereto according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a rear side view of a flat appliance and stand having astability support device attached thereto according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a flat appliance and stand having astability support device attached thereto according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a top side view of a flat appliance and stand having astability support device attached thereto according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5A depicts a more detailed view of area “A”, shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5B depicts a more detailed view of area “B”, shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5C depicts a more detailed view of area “C”, shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 depicts a detailed perspective view of a mounting bracket for astability support device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 depicts a detailed side view of a mounting plate for a stabilitysupport device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of the description hereinafter, spatial orientation terms,if used, shall relate to the referenced embodiment as it is oriented inthe accompanying drawing figures or otherwise described in the followingdetailed description. However, it is to be understood that theembodiments described hereinafter may assume many alternative variationsand embodiments. It is also to be understood that the specific devicesillustrated in the accompanying drawing figures and described herein aresimply exemplary and should not be considered as limiting.

FIGS. 1-4 depict a support device 1 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention that serves to attach a flat appliance 2 to a standstructure 3 and prevent the flat appliance 2 from tipping over or beingdisplaced from a desired position. As shown in FIG. 1, support device 1includes a brace 5 disposed between a mounting plate 7, which isattached to a side of the flat appliance 2, and a mounting bracket 8,which is attached to the stand structure 3. The flat appliance 2includes opposing front and rear sides and opposing top and bottom sidesand a base portion 4 that supports the flat appliance 2 on a flatsupport surface of the stand structure 3.

The brace 5 has an adjustable length and includes a top telescopingbrace leg 5 a and a bottom telescoping brace leg 5 b. Telescoping bracelegs 5 a, 5 b are in a telescoping engagement such that top brace leg 5a is partially disposed within, and slides with respect to, bottom braceleg 5 b. Top brace leg 5 a has a preferred length of 17 inches. Bottombrace leg 5 b has a preferred length of 16 inches. A clamp mechanism 6is disposed on the brace 5 at a point of telescoping engagement betweenthe top and bottom brace legs 5 a, 5 b. The clamp mechanism 6 serves tosecure the top and bottom brace legs 5 a, 5 b together in a fixedtelescoping engagement.

As shown in FIG. 2, mounting plate 7 is attached to the flat appliance 2by threaded fasteners 9 a, 9 b that extend through holes 7 a-7 h (shownin FIG. 7) in the mounting plate and into receiving holes disposed in arear side of the flat appliance 2. These receiving holes arepre-installed in the rear side of the flat appliance 2 in a horizontalarray extending parallel to the top side of the flat appliance so thatflat appliance 2 can be mounted to a wall. Mounting plate 7 is attachedto the rear side of flat appliance 2 so as to be oriented parallel withrespect to a top edge of the flat appliance 2. Mounting bracket 8 isattached to a portion 3 a of the stand structure 3 by fasteners drilledinto the portion 3 a of the stand structure. It is to be appreciatedthat portion 3 a can be any part of the stand structure 3 suitable forhaving mounting bracket 8 attached thereto, including a top rearportion, as shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, brace 5 extends downward and outward with respect toflat appliance 2 so as to connect mounting plate 7 and mounting bracket8 to one another in order to secure flat appliance 2 to the standstructure 3 and prevent flat appliance 2 from tipping over.

With reference to FIG. 5A, a detailed view of area “A” in FIG. 1depicting the connection between top brace leg 5 a and mounting plate 7is shown. A top brace leg end cap 10 a is slipped over the top of topbrace leg 5 a. Mounting plate 7 includes a top hinge bracket 11 adisposed at a middle portion thereof. Top brace leg 5 a is hingedlyconnected to mounting plate 7 at top hinge bracket 11 a by a top hingefastener 12 a passing through top hinge bracket 11 a, top brace leg endcap 10 a and top brace leg 5 a.

With reference to FIG. 5B, a detailed view of area “B” in FIG. 1depicting the point telescoping engagement between top brace leg 5 a andbottom brace leg 5 b is shown. Clamp mechanism 6 is disposed on brace 5at the point of telescoping engagement between the top and bottom bracelegs 5 a, 5 b. Clamp mechanism 6 includes a flexible sleeve portion 6 adisposed over the top and bottom brace legs 5 a, 5 b, a tab portion 6 band a hinge portion 6 c. Tab portion 6 b includes a rigid extension (notshown) and is pivoted about hinge portion 6 c so as to cause the rigidextension to abut against flexible sleeve portion 6 a. Flexible sleeveportion 6 a is thus caused to tighten upon top and bottom brace legs 5a, 5 b at a point of telescoping engagement between the legs 5 a, 5 b.It is to be understood that the clamp mechanism may be of any typeaccording to those known to one of ordinary skill in the art, includingone or more self-adhesive wire clips.

With reference to FIG. 5C, a detailed view of area “C” in FIG. 1depicting the connection between bottom brace leg 5 b and mountingbracket 8 is shown. A bottom brace leg end cap 10 b is slipped over thebottom of bottom brace leg 5 b. Mounting bracket 8 includes a bottomhinge bracket 11 b disposed on an end thereof. Bottom brace leg 5 b ishingedly connected to mounting bracket 8 at bottom hinge bracket 11 b bya bottom hinge fastener 12 b passing through bottom hinge bracket 11 b,bottom brace leg end cap 10 b and bottom brace leg 5 b.

As shown in FIG. 6, mounting bracket 8 includes bottom hinge portion 11b disposed at an end thereof and two holes 8 a, 8 b disposed in a sidethereof. A pair of fasteners are passed through holes 8 a, 8 b ofmounting bracket 8 and are drilled into the portion 3 a of standstructure 3 so as to attach mounting bracket 8 to stand structure 3.

As shown in FIG. 7, mounting plate 7 includes a top hinge portion 11 a,disposed in a middle portion thereof and an array of elongated holes 7a-7 h defined in the mounting plate 7 and extending in two directionsfrom a point of attachment between the brace 5 and mounting plate 7.Holes 7 a-7 h are arranged within mounting plate 7 in an array so as tobe capable of accommodating and aligning with a variety of arrays ofreceiving holes in a side of a variety of different flat appliances 2.Further, holes 7 a-7 h may be formed of an elongated shape so as toprovide tolerance in aligning two or more holes 7 a-7 h with two or morecorresponding receiving holes in the side of flat appliance 2.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a kit for securing aflat appliance 2 to a stand structure 3 is provided. The kit includes amounting plate 7, mounting bracket 8, brace 5 and at least one fastenerfor attaching the mounting plate 7 to a side of the flat appliance 2 byengaging at least one hole defined in the mounting plate 7 aligned withat least one receiving hole disposed in a side of the flat appliance, asdetailed above. According to this embodiment, mounting plate 7 may beattached to a variety of flat appliances 2 having different arrangementsof receiving holes. The length of brace 5 is adjustable so that flatappliances of varying types and sizes can be secured to varying supportstructures at varying orientations.

It is to be appreciated that the support device 1 may be used to attachany type of flat appliance 2 to a stand structure 3 in order to preventtipping or displacement of the flat appliance 2. Such flat appliances 2may include flat screen television sets and monitors, video gameconsoles, computers, etc. Further, stand structure 3 may be of any typeknown in the art to be suitable for supporting a flat appliance 2thereon, including television stands, entertainment centers, desks,tables, dressers, etc. Moreover, flat appliance 2 may be supported onstand structure 3 in a variety of positions with respect to distancefrom the edges of the stand structure 3 and/or the direction the flatappliance 2 faces with respect to the stand structure 3. Also, top andbottom brace legs 5 a, 5 b may be of any suitable construction,including extruded tubing.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described indetail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and alternatives to those details could be developed inlight of the overall teachings of the disclosure. The presentlypreferred embodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative onlyand not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be giventhe full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalentsthereof.

1. A support device for a flat appliance resting upon a surface,comprising: a mounting plate having at least one hole defined therein,said mounting plate being adapted for attachment to a side of the flatappliance with a fastener extending through said at least one hole andinto at least one corresponding receiving hole in the flat appliance; amounting bracket adapted for attachment to a stand structure; and abrace disposed between said mounting plate and said mounting bracket,wherein said at least one hole in said mounting plate is adapted foraccommodating the receiving hole of a variety of different flatappliances.
 2. The support device according to claim 1, wherein saidmounting plate comprises a plurality of holes defined therein, saidplurality of holes being arranged in an array suitable to accommodate aplurality of receiving holes of a variety of different flat appliances.3. The support device according to claim 2, wherein said plurality ofholes in said mounting plate are arranged in an array extending in twodirections from a point of attachment between said brace and saidmounting plate.
 4. The support device according to claim 1, wherein saidbrace has an adjustable length.
 5. The support device according to claim4, wherein said brace comprises a first leg and a second leg, said firstand second legs being associated with each other in a telescopingengagement.
 6. The support device according to claim 5, furthercomprising a clamp mechanism disposed on said brace at a point oftelescoping engagement between said first and second legs of said brace,said clamp mechanism being adapted for securing said first and secondlegs of said brace to each other in a fixed telescoping engagement. 7.The support device according to claim 1, further comprising a firsthinged connection between said brace and said mounting plate and asecond hinged connection between said brace and said mounting bracket.8. The support device according to claim 1, wherein said mounting plateis adapted for attachment to the side of the flat appliance with aplurality of fasteners engaging a plurality of holes in said mountingplate and the side of the flat appliance.
 9. A system for securing aflat appliance resting upon a surface to a stand structure, said systemcomprising: a flat appliance having opposing front and rear sides,opposing top and bottom sides and at least one receiving hole disposedin said rear side; a stand structure comprising a stand surface forsupporting said flat appliance thereon; and a support device comprising:a mounting plate having at least one hole defined therein, said at leastone hole in said mounting plate being arranged such that said at leastone hole in said mounting plate aligns with said at least one receivinghole in said rear side of said flat appliance, said mounting plate beingattached to said rear side of said flat appliance with a fastenerextending through said at least one hole in said mounting plate and intosaid at least one receiving hole in said rear side of said flatappliance; a mounting bracket attached to said stand structure; and abrace disposed between said mounting plate and said mounting bracket.10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said flat appliancecomprises a plurality of receiving holes disposed in said rear side,said receiving holes being arranged in a horizontal array parallel tosaid top side, and said mounting plate comprises a plurality of holesdefined therein, said plurality of holes in said mounting plate beingarranged in an array such that at least two holes in said mounting platealign with at least two of said plurality of receiving holes in saidrear side of said flat appliance.
 11. The system according to claim 10,wherein said array of holes in said mounting plate extends in twodirections from a point of attachment between said brace and saidmounting plate.
 12. The system according to claim 9, wherein said bracehas an adjustable length.
 13. The system according to claim 12, whereinsaid brace comprises a first leg and a second leg, said first and secondlegs being associated with each other in a telescoping engagement. 14.The system according to claim 13, further comprising a clamp mechanismdisposed on said brace at a point of telescoping engagement between saidfirst and second legs of said brace, said clamp mechanism being adaptedfor securing said first and second legs of said brace to each other in afixed telescoping engagement.
 15. The system according to claim 9,further comprising a first hinged connection between said brace and saidmounting plate and a second hinged connection between said brace andsaid mounting bracket.
 16. The system according to claim 9, wherein saidflat appliance is a flat screen television.
 17. A kit for securing aflat appliance resting upon a surface to a stand structure, said kitcomprising: a mounting plate adapted for attachment to the flatappliance, said mounting plate having at least one hole defined therein,said at least one hole being arranged such that said at least one holein said mounting plate can be aligned with at least one receiving holedisposed in a side of the flat appliance; a mounting bracket adapted forattachment to the stand structure; a brace adapted for attachment tosaid mounting plate and said mounting bracket, said brace having anadjustable length; and at least one fastener for attaching said mountingplate to said flat appliance by engaging said aligned holes in saidmounting plate and said flat appliance, wherein said mounting plate isadapted for being attached to a variety of flat appliances havingdifferent arrangements of receiving holes and a length of said brace isadapted for being adjusted so as to secure flat appliances of varyingsizes to varying stand structures at varying orientations.
 18. The kitaccording to claim 17, wherein said mounting plate comprises a pluralityof elongated holes defined therein, said plurality of elongated holesbeing arranged in an array such that at least two holes in said mountingplate can be aligned with at least two receiving holes disposed in theside of the flat appliance.
 19. The kit according to claim 18, whereinsaid array extends in two directions from a point of attachment betweensaid brace and said mounting plate.
 20. The kit according to claim 17,wherein said brace comprises a first leg and a second leg, said firstand second legs being associated with each other in a telescopingengagement.
 21. The kit according to claim 20, further comprising aclamp mechanism adapted for being disposed on said brace at a point oftelescoping engagement between said first and second legs of said brace,said clamp mechanism being adapted for securing said first and secondlegs of said brace to each other in a fixed telescoping engagement. 22.The kit according to claim 17, wherein said brace is adapted for beinghingedly attached to said mounting plate and said mounting bracket. 23.The kit according to claim 17, wherein said flat appliance is a flatscreen television.